正文
In a series of clever studies, Frédérick Philippe, Robert Vallerand, and colleagues studied a concept they refer to as
harmonious sexual passion
: passion for sex that is well integrated and in harmony with other aspects of the self, creating minimal conflict with other areas of life. Harmonious integration of ones sexual desires frees one up to fully engage and enjoy sexual activity in an open, spontaneous, and nondefensive manner. Items measuring harmonious sexual passion include: "Sex is in harmony with the other things that are part of me," "Sex is well integrated in my life," and "Sex is in harmony with the other activities in my life."
In contrast, those who have
obsessive sexual passion
have not well integrated their sexuality into the totality of their being. Their sexual desires remain detached from other areas of their self as well as other domains in life. This leads to more narrow goals, such as immediate sexual gratification (e.g., orgasm), and leads to more of an urgent feeling of
sex
as a goal, compelling us to perform, instead of us being in control of our sexuality. This can significantly limit the full enjoyment of sex as well as life. Items measuring obsessive sexual passion include: "I have almost an obsessive feeling for sex," "Sex is the only thing that really turns me on," and "I have the impression that sex controls me."
Across a number of studies, the researchers found that these two forms of sexual passion-- obsessive and harmonious-- differ remarkably in the way sexual information is processed, and how sexual activities are experienced. During sexual activities, obsessive sexual passion was related to negative emotions. Outside of sexual intercourse, obsessive sexual passion was related to intrusive thoughts about sex, conflict with other goals, attention to alternative partners, and difficulty concentrating on a current goal when unconsciously viewing pictures of sexually attractive people.
